Feb 12 2014
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) will be convening finance, development and thought leaders from the Latin American, the Caribbean and around the world at the Renewable Energy Latin America and the Caribbean Conference and Exhibition (RELACCx), on April 24-25, 2014, at El Conquistador, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
"RELACCx is our most recent professional gathering in ACORE's successful history of convening all sectors of the renewable energy industry to forge the policy and financial support for the scale-up of renewable energy," said ACORE President and CEO, Michael Brower. "RELACCx is focused on Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) because LAC is forecasted to double its installed power capacity to about 600 GW by 2030. Now is the ideal time and opportunity for all our regional friends, allies and cooperators to proactively define the finance and policy models that most effectively facilitate such impressive predicted growth."
The two-day conference will take an in-depth look at political and financial landscapes, prominent and emerging markets, and existing energy infrastructure that have been so successful for scaling up Latin American and Caribbean renewable energy. Ever mindful of the distinct regional economic, cultural and resource diversity, RELACCx will address projects mechanics large and small. One of the striking recent shifts in renewable energy finance is the broadening of investment in Latin America, once dominated by Brazil. In 2013, total overall investments in Latin America decreased due to reduced investment in Brazil, but the rest of the region increased investments from $5.1 billion in 2012 to $5.9 billion, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Chile, Mexico and Uruguay committed more than $1 billion to clean energy, while the Brazilian contribution slipped back to $3.4 billion from $7.1 billion.
"Utility scale investment in renewables in Europe and North America grew rapidly but has cooled off recently," said Carlos St. James, President of the Latin American & Caribbean Council on Renewable Energy (LAC-CORE), ACORE's partner for the conference. "Fortunately, the same has not occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean. At RELACCx, we'll examine the successes of existing projects to better understand industry hurdles, and gain key insights from financial institutions to minimize risk and further increase the viability of renewable energy projects in our various countries."
"Attendees will get an update on the latest developments in renewable energy in the region," remarked Camila Ramos, Managing Director at CELA - Clean Energy Latin America (Brazil). "For example, updates on the impact of recent net-metering legislation in various countries in the region such as Chile and Mexico, on the results of the latest renewable energy tenders in Brazil and Uruguay, on the latest M &A deals in renewable energy in the region, as well as investment opportunities."
From new business models that encourage small-scale renewable energy deployment to financial mechanisms for utility-scale power plants, this conference addresses current challenges and opportunities from investor, project developer, policymaker, and regulatory perspectives. Learn from the successes of existing projects to better understand industry hurdles, and gain key insights from financial institutions to minimize risk and increase the viability of renewable energy projects in your country.
"If you are a renewable energy project sponsor or representative seeking to raise funds or learn about the financing process for projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, then RELACCx 2014 in Puerto Rico is a 'must attend' for you," added Dr. Roland Clarke; CEO, Clarke Energy Associates in Barbados. RELACCX will offer an opportunity for Renewable Energy Youth Ambassadors to present their winning action plans addressing the water-energy nexus in the Caribbean, Central or South America at a Youth Ambassador Breakfast. "This is an excellent opportunity for Caribbean youth to begin their journey in the business aspects of renewable energy," added Dr. Clarke.
"Both the youth perspective and the water-energy nexus are important elements of the discussion on the growth of renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Risa Edelman, Senior Associate, International Programs. "We're pleased that these topics will be part of the conversation at this year's conference."